I’m going to save you a little time, effort, and heartache – don’t even attempt to make that horseradish dressing in the Heal Your Headache book. It’s bad. In fact, it left me in tears the first time I made it. That’s got to be the worst part of trying new recipes is you never know exactly how they will turn out. Plus if you’re in the situation where your migraines are frequent enough to warrant a change in diet, your patience level for cooking is pretty low.
I realized there was a serious lack of migraine safe dressings out there and want to make an effort to change that. Clearly none of us can go to the store and pick out something that’s been bottled. Have you seen the back of a Hidden Valley Ranch packet? Here are the ingredients with the hidden (and not so hidden) names for MSG and other migraine triggers in bold letters: Salt, monosodium glutamate, dried garlic, modified food starch, dried onion, maltodextrin, spices, less than 2% of: guar gum, buttermilk, calcium stearate, natural flavor (soy). I’m ashamed to say I used to eat this stuff on pizza all the time back in the day.
I know making your own sounds like a huge pain in the butt, but I promise it takes the same amount of time it would for you to pick up a bottle of the sodium heavy, msg laden pre-made junk. It also tastes 100% better!
On a side note, we had a great fourth of July! Here are some pictures if you’d like to see.
I made these two muffins – strawberry cream cheese, and blackberry/blueberry. For the strawberry muffins, I made the same recipe but just poured them into a muffin tin and baked for about 40 minutes. For the blackberry/blueberry, I just used 1 cup of blackberries instead of blueberries.
Ellie taking a dip in our expensive, high end pool.
We made these ribs with this watermelon salad, and this potato salad (with multi colored potatoes!). My dad was a happy camper.
This migraine safe ranch dressing is so fresh and tasty! It thickens as it chills. Give it at least an hour to really let the flavors combine.
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise *homemade or safe store bought
- 1/4 cup whole milk or milk substitute *I like Oatly or hemp milk for a milk substitute, but I find they don't thicken like real milk does
- 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
- 1 tbsp shallot, peeled and chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/8 tsp dried mustard
- 1/4 tsp dried dill *if using fresh, double this amount
- 1/8 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
Combine all the ingredients and whisk together until smooth. Chill for at least 30 minutes - 1 hour. It will thicken more the longer it chills. Serve on a simple salad or use as a dip for veggies.
Sometimes the onion flavor can get a little more strong on day two. If you don't like that flavor, just eliminate the shallots. If you LOVE that flavor, feel free to add 1/2 clove of garlic as well.
What is the shelf life for this ranch dressing?
I usually make enough to last me 3 days, but you could probably keep it 5-7. I will say the shallot flavor can get really strong the longer it stays in the fridge!
Doesn’t dairy trigger migraines. I have vestibular migraines too but want to pass out
Dairy can be a trigger for some, but that’s usually because that particular person has an allergy to it and it causes inflammation. Some people decide to do HYH while dairy free, but it’s not required. I try to limit it, but not eliminate it. I know many who have been able to reduce their VM days and feel better without going dairy free, myself included.
I just made your recipe for ranch dressing…. YUM!!!! Thank you! I am beginning this journey of figuring out food triggers. Thank you for sharing your recipes. 🙂 It makes me feel less overwhelmed.
I’m so glad! If you like this one you’ll have to try the Italian salad dressing too. It’s soooo good!
Does anyone have suggestions on a safe store brand Mayo?? Thank you
Hey – I have a few ones that are ok in this post.
Thank you !! I appreciate your recipes your amazing for sharing them.
Fantastic ranch recipe!! HYH safe … and just healthy if you don’t want bottled/msg/chemicals! Only thing I’ve ever found that even comes close to substituting bottled ranch!
I personally use half and half instead of milk to give it a thicker consistency, or even heavy cream if I want a ranch “dip” instead of “dressing” but the base recipe is fantastic! I always include the optional garlic, because I like that flavor! I also mix the vinegar into the milk/cream first and let it sit a few minutes (to mimic buttermilk) and then add the other ingredients, so it has a “buttermilk ranch” flavor!